Author: Mari Walker

A Star Shone Over Bethlehem – A Star of Peace

On Bethany fell the new star’s light,
But only one was awake that night.
Old Martha, restless, had left her bed
And gone out to sit in the garden instead.
Silently past the room she had crept
Where baby Mary and young Martha slept.
The sharp night air was a cooling balm.
Wrapped in her blanket she soon grew calm.
Troubling memories slipped away
Along with the pains of the present day.
But then came a voice to disturb her ease,
A little voice saying, “Grandmother, please
Come back inside. The wind is chill.
The cold night air will make you ill.”

“Young Martha, my dear,” her grandmother said,
“Thank you for caring. You should be abed.”
“I was worried, you know,” the young girl replied.
“Come under my cloak then and sit at my side.
We’ll share a few stories, then go in to rest.”
“I love to hear stories and yours are the best!”
“We’ll talk about stars. Your grandfather knew
All the star stories and I’ll tell them to you.
He taught me their names and the pictures they make.
Look! There is the hunter, you cannot mistake;
Three stars make his belt, his sword are two more,
His dogs run before him across heaven’s floor.
Then to the north two bears there will be
That circle the star that guides sailors at sea.”

“But grandma,” asked Martha, “what is the name
Of the bright star above us that glows like a flame?”
“My child,” asked old Martha, “what star do you mean?”
She looked up, “Why, I’ve never seen
Such a beautiful star! It seems quite new.”
“Do stars ever change?” “I suppose they do.
I’ve never heard that they come and go
But there’s much in the world I do not know.”
“Does it have a name or a story to tell?”
“Let us sit here a moment and study it well.
It may have a secret it’s willing to share.
It may speak if it knows a listener is there.”

“I’m listening and looking and I see
The new star is brightest of all to me.
The other stars’ light is icy and cold;
The new starlight sparkles warm and gold.
It makes me feel happy to sit here below
And rest in the calm of warming glow.”
“It’s a peaceful star,” old Martha said,
“Now let us go in and back to bed.”
“But we haven’t found a name for the star!”
“Others will study it wiser by far
And perhaps find the name.” “But as for me
The star of peace it will always be.”
“You are right, my child, cares and worries cease
When we sit below this star of peace.”

Guy Johnson

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6

So many beautiful names for Jesus exist that individuals often make a choice of their favorite, depending on the image that means the most in their own lives. On my own spiritual journey that name has changed many times. I usually come back to Father which is so simple yet profound. Lamb of God and Bread of Life are two other personal favorites. However, for this writing I chose Prince of Peace which warranted Bible research for me. Why would Jesus be called the Prince of Peace when so much fighting and hatred exists in our world? Why doesn’t He just put an end to it?

It made me ask myself, “What was the kind of peace to which Jesus was referring?” In John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives.” So, Jesus’ peace was not promising us personal safety, the elimination of wars, or ending the present acrimony between factions within our country.

What then is He offering us? In Romans 5:1 are the words, “Therefore since we have been made righteous through His faithfulness, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Peace is a deeper and lasting peace between our hearts and God, one that cannot be taken away. Because of Christ’s sacrifice I can have a relationship with the Holy Spirit that will have me live in ways I cannot possibly live by myself. This peace, joy and love will show in us, and it will spill over into our own personal relationships with others.

The scriptures I have referred to have made me aware of the peace I can have with God through my faith and my trust in Him, and the ultimate sacrifice of His son, Jesus. Surprisingly this magnificent peace offered through the grace of God can be hard to accept and maintain. It is not easy to let go and place everything in God’s hands.

I often ask the question, “Why is something that seems so easy and wonderful be so difficult?” Don’t I have enough faith and trust in God to let go of my own needs to control things in my life? I have both the desire to be able to fix things in my life and the knowledge to know I cannot. My choice is to trust God’s promises and let peace rule in my heart, or to rely on myself and reject the peace He has to offer. I choose the former. As Advent approaches, we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Because I have faith and trust in Him, I freely and joyfully accept His gift of peace.

Father, I humbly accept the peace you offer me. Wars and conflicts in our world will not cease until Jesus comes to establish a lasting peace. Once your peace rules our hearts and behaviors, we can share that peace with others. In this beautiful season of the birth of Jesus keep me focused on you and the deep and abiding peace you offer me. Amen

Bobbi Marino

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a child, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. —Luke 1:30-33

This year, I await the Christ child. In Advent of 2012, I was also awaiting the Lane-&-Ben child.
As a first-time, soon-to-be dad, I was all too busy preparing for this child to come into our home. I read all the latest labor and delivery literature, met regularly with the midwives, and attended weekly childbirth classes. Every moment of my ‘free’ time was devoted to preparing the nursery: furniture assembly and closet clearing to make room for all the gear that comes with the baby. (Who knew such a small person needed so much stuff!?!) While I exhausted myself with all the preparations, it was my excited anticipation that drove me to complete the to-do list. I was excited … really excited.

On our kitchen counter sat a notepad where, each evening over dinner, we added or marked off potential names for our coming child. We thumbed through the baby-name books borrowed from the public library. More adding. More scratching out. What name shall be given this child?

Our final decision was one that spoke to our hearts and remained on the list through many conversations. After all, bestowing a name upon someone is not to be taken lightly.

Every day, as I watched my wife’s belly grow taut, my imagination whirled with the possibilities of life held within; what life shall be lived by the child within?

Each night before bed, I placed my ear to Lane’s belly and in my silly, sing-songy voice called, “Hello, Baby! I am your daddy and I love you!” Then, I listened. I wondered.

One night, when I took this moment to slow down from the busyness of preparing and anticipating, I paused and wondered….

How did Joseph prepare for his new child? What did he read? Did Joseph keep a copy of the latest childrearing book by the first-century’s Dr. Benjamin Spock on his bedside table? Of course, he had no need for baby-name books from the library; the angels took care of that task for the couple.
Did Joseph paint the nursery according to Mary’s chosen color scheme? Even as a carpenter, did he actually read the directions as he constructed nursery furniture?

Did Joseph put his ear to Mary’s belly each night before bed and call, “Hello, Baby! I am your daddy and I love you!” to our Savior?

As Joseph watched Mary’s belly grow taut, could he fathom the life that would be lived by the Christ child within?

Maybe he did some of those things, or maybe none of them; after all, more than two-thousand years of history, technology and science separate the two of us.

But I do know one deep connection that Joseph and I shared that Advent season: Our hearts sang out with joyful anticipation as we awaited Love into our homes.

Open my heart as I await the arrival of the Christ Child with joyful anticipation. Help me await in wonder and anticipate new beginnings. May I be prepared to welcome Love to my heart and home this Christmas. Amen.

Ben Hartman

Yesterday I started by talking about all that was said about Jesus either prior to, or right after his birth. As a reminder, Gabriel told Mary, “He will be great, and will be called the son of the Highest” and “that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:32 and 35) Joseph was told, “he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Elizabeth said that he was blessed and called Mary “the mother of my Lord.” (Luke 1:43)

Within hours of his birth the shepherds are told, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10)

As a former teacher, I can’t help but think about the concepts of self-fulfilling prophecy and the Pygmalion Effect when I read these quotes.

The APA Dictionary of Psychology defines self-fulfilling prophecy as “a belief or expectation that helps to bring about its own fulfillment, as, for example, when a teacher’s preconceptions about a student’s ability influence the child’s achievement for better or worse,” and Pygmalion Effect as “a consequence or reaction in which the expectations of a leader or superior engender behavior from followers or subordinates that is consistent with these expectations: a form of self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, raising manager expectations of the performance of subordinate employees has been found to enhance the performance of those employees.”

Now, I’m not saying Jesus became who he was because he was told these things. Honestly, it’s more evidence of the divine that he turned out the way he did after hearing these things. I’m pretty sure the average child would become insufferable if praised and worshiped the way Jesus undoubtedly was. But I do think it is worth contemplating the impact these early commendations may have had on him. I am sure growing up knowing you are the Son of God and that a whole people are relying on you impacts the way you carry yourself.

I invite you to use this as a jumping off point to think about self-fulfilling prophecies. What names or attributes have others given you in the past? How did they impact your development, both positively and negatively? What prophecies have you spoken on others? It is important to recognize the impact words and names can have, even the many names given to Jesus.

Dear Lord, thank you for sending your son. We thank you for the man that grew to fully embody those words spoken over him when he was so small. Help us to live up to the name you have given us, as your people who love our neighbors. And let those names we give others only serve to build them up. Amen.

Molly Means

Before Jesus was even born, many people already believed certain things about him. Gabriel told Mary, “He will be great, and will be called the son of the Highest” and “that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:32 and 35) Joseph was told, “he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) His relative Elizabeth said that he was blessed and called Mary “the mother of my Lord.” (Luke 1:43) Even little fetus John the Baptist was somersaulting in Elizabeth’s stomach for joy of meeting his cousin.

Within hours of his birth the shepherds are told, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10), after which they went to visit and “made widely known the sayings that were told them concerning this child.” (Luke 2:17)

Oof. That is quite the heavy mantle for a tiny baby to be born under. No wonder Mary “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) As a mother, it has to have been such a mix of emotions. She was given the highest honor of all time, but I can’t imagine she took all these prophecies and accolades lightly. This was her little human, who had just hours ago been one with her, and now people are already putting all their hopes and dreams on his fragile shoulders. And, let’s be honest, at this point our smooshy little King of Kings couldn’t even hold his own head up, so who was really shouldering the burden of these expectations during those first tender years? I think any mother could tell you who.

Today, let’s hold some space for Mary and all the other mothers (and fathers) who carry the mental load of parenthood – those who do the thinking, planning, management and emotional work that underpins all aspects of family life. If this is you, pause a second. Take a deep breath, untense your shoulders, and know that you are loved and appreciated, and the world couldn’t turn without all that you do. If you are not currently in this stage of life, take a minute to think of those close to you who are. Let them know you see them, as I hope others did for Mary so long ago.

Dear Lord, thank you for Mary who shepherded our shepherd. Thank you for all those who are currently shepherding their own flock. Please lay your hand upon them and give them peace in this busy season. Amen.

Molly Means

Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14

Have you ever had days when it was hard to be joyful? I must admit I’ve had many. In 2019 I turned 50; at first I was excited. I had been looking forward to speaking my mind and not worrying about what anyone else thought. At the very least they’d just think that I was old.

By the time summer arrived, joy was nowhere in sight. I just couldn’t pull myself out of it. I prayed and sang songs. My sons and I went on a fun vacation to Universal Studios, yet joy was eluding me. August arrived and I was diagnosed with breast cancer again. Joy simply refused to emerge.

The year 2020 brought with it a multitude of emotions and fears. It’s hard to believe, but in the midst of all that I knew that God was with me. Joy started bubbling up in me. I must say I was a little confused by this. I should not be feeling joy when the world is falling apart. I just knew something was wrong with me, so I prayed,

“Why do I feel such joy when I should be down and depressed?”

I heard God say, “I never wanted you to feel depressed nor do I want you to worry about things beyond your control. You are experiencing my joy because you have begun to remember that I am with you.” Now when I feel my joy trying to slip away, I remind myself that God is with me.

“Joy, joy, God’s great joy! Joy, joy down in my soul, sweet beautiful soul-saving joy! Oh joy, joy in my soul.” (Georgia Mass Choir)

Dear God, Thank you for your joy and for reminding us that you are always with us. Thank you for Jesus Christ the Incarnate. In his name, amen.

L. Darlene Dickson

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. —James 1:2

Joy is more than happiness. It is a perpetual gladness in your heart that comes from experiencing, knowing, and trusting Jesus. Joy is knowing that God is always present and that He keeps his promises. Joy is your soul acknowledging that Jesus is real and lives within you.

We all go through trials and tribulations. Some of our trials seem to be so enormous that we will never be able to overcome the obstacles. How can we pay the bills when we have no job? How can God have made my child have diabetes? How can this young woman with no job skills take care of her veteran and find money to pay the bills when his injuries are so severe? The storm just came through, and I lost all of the food for the next two months when the power went out. Woe is me.

When you have no job, suddenly you get paid some money from a source you never thought would come through. God did not give your child diabetes, but it happened. God did give you doctors and scientists who developed diets and medications to help your child live a full life. This young women meets an angel who gives her lists of resources like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Bob and Deloris Hope Fund, and Give an Hour. The church food pantry got an extra supply of food and you were given emergency rations. As Psalm 30:5 says, “his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

God is always here for us. We can rejoice knowing that he will never leave or forsake us even when we are weeping the loudest. Let us always remember to think of God’s JOY when our soul is not listening because it only hears our weeping. The sun will come out tomorrow and we will find that our soul is refreshed knowing God’s JOY.

God, our JOY and pleasure, please help us to change our stories so that our soul always hears your promises even when we are weeping. Yes, things can look horrid, but you are always with us and the sun will shine tomorrow. Amen

Daphne G. Grady

A Star Shone Over Bethlehem – A Star of Joy

In the crumbling towers of Babylon
An ancient study continued on.
Nightly observers scanned the skies
Watching the heavenly bodies rise
And recording their data on tablets of clay
Just as they did on the long ago day
Before the kings of Persia held sway
Over all the Mesopotamian land.
Now Persian scholars lent a hand
Bringing new thoughts and a new kind of lore.
Sharp-witted, sharp-eyed Melchior
Was one of their number. With him he brought
Scrolls of the secrets the Magi had taught.
Daily he sought the knowledge they hold,
Nightly he pondered what stars foretold.
With two friends at school he had shared
Thoughts and ideas. The three compared
Their hopes and dreams and came to agree
The state of the world was about to be
Changed forever and gloriously.
But when it would happen they could not agree.

Now school days end as do all days.
The three good friends had parted ways:
Casper became an imperial clerk;
Balthazar went to Egypt to work;
To Babylon came Melchior.
There he studied and dreamed as before.

One day in a market his notice fell
On a scroll of a prophet of Israel.
His interest aroused, he brought it away
And read it amazed the rest of the day.
He learned from the prophet that someday a king
Would come with an army of angels and bring
Justice and mercy to all and peace
And the reign of this king would never cease.
Melchior from that time on
Carefully kept his attention on
The sector of sky which the ancients tell
Predicts the future of Israel.
For Melchior thought that before the king’s birth
A sign from the sky would tell the earth.
But many months passed without a hint.
Melchior’s hopes were almost spent.
Then one dull night when he’d let his eyes close,
He was suddenly jolted awake from his doze.
There in the sky where he thought it would be
Was the wondrous sign he had hoped to see:
A golden star whose steady light
Brightened the corners of the night.

“Messiah has come!” he cried, “I must go
To welcome him into his world below
The heaven which surely is his domain.
I must write my friends and clearly explain
All that I’ve learned and ask them to meet
And go with me to humbly greet
And lay at his feet all the gifts that we bring.
And welcome here the great young king.”

Melchior rose feeling lighter than air.
He ran to his rooms and began to prepare
The things he would need for the journey ahead:
Gifts and guides and camels instead
Of horses. Desert travel is steady and slow
And west to Jerusalem they must go.
It seemed like a year before they could start,
But at last the three friends were prepared to depart
To follow the star that led to the boy.
Melchior called it the “star of great joy.”

Guy Johnson

And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
—Luke 2: 10-11

To some, fruitcake is a Christmas favorite. To others, fruitcake is something to be avoided at all costs. If you are a connoisseur of fruitcake, you know that there seems to be as many fruitcake recipes as there are fruitcake bakers. (If you are not a connoisseur – just take my word for it.) Fruit cake is an odd food item. Is it a dessert? Or is it a snack? Is it cake or bread? It contains nuts like walnuts or pecans or Brazil nuts, dried fruits like raisins or dates, and candied fruits like cherries or pineapple. The chunky, chewy morsels are either surrounded by a dense cake or bound by just enough dough to glue the ingredients together. Stored correctly, they can be kept for months. Loaves or rings of fruit cake are often gifted. And yet, fruit cake is the root of many jokes. It isn’t one of the mainstream Christmas goodies like fudge, divinity, Christmas cookies, or gingerbread. It is different.

It is not always easy for us to embrace differences, but I think that Jesus calls us to do so. We are tasked with ministering to and interacting with all people, sharing the love of God through our words and our actions. We are called to embrace the diversity around us. In the words of a great poet:

“We need more fruitcakes in this world and less bakers
We need people that care…
There’s a little bit of fruitcake left in every one of us.”
—“Fruitcakes,” Songwriters: Jimmy Buffett, Amy Lee Schwartzberg

Though sometimes difficult, we are also called to celebrate our own individual quirks and differences. We can acknowledge that sometimes we are a mainstream gingerbread and sometimes our actions put us in the center of the fruitcake category. We need to relish our “fruitcakeness.”

The angel that appeared to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth brought a message of Good News. A Savior had been born, a Savior that was sent not just to one group of people, but one who came to all people. Starting with His birth, Jesus interacted with people who were out of the mainstream (maybe some New Testament fruitcakes): shepherds, foreign kings, fishermen, tax collectors, women, sinners, etc. During His ministry, it seemed natural for Him to reach out to diverse groups, sharing the Good News, offering salvation to those who believed. He ministered to the mainstream (the gingerbreads) and to those who were not mainstream (the fruitcakes). He delivered a message of salvation for all. During the Christmas season we celebrate that our Savior has come for all people, including us when we are at our most “fruitcake-y.”

Dear God: We thank you for the diversity around us. Help us to appreciate our individual differences and quirks. Thank you for the birth of Jesus our Savior who brought salvation to all people. Amen

Susan Lambert

See what great love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God! —1 John 3:1

Most of us know who we were named for, i.e. a family member, a special friend or perhaps just a favorite name. This is our legal name which identifies us. We all have other multiple names or titles that further describe who we are. These names are more specific and have certain expectations and behaviors associated with them. Of course, we don’t all have the same collection of names/titles, but there are overlaps. For example, you and I may share several of the following: mother, wife, grandparent, sister, educator, gardener, volunteer, octogenarian, Methodist, retiree, friend and neighbor.

There is, however, one name that we all share—Child of God. According to 1 John, this is a name given to all of us by our Father. As a Child of God, what are the expectations that come with that name? Do my actions and behavior reflect those characteristics that would be associated with being called a Child of God? Would my Father be pleased? Am I pleased? Do I deserve to be called a Child of God?

Let us take time during this holy season to reflect on the implications of being known as a Child of God. Let us ponder what more we can do to live up to the expectations that come with this name bestowed on us by our Heavenly Father. We should ask ourselves, “Can I,” “Should I,” “Must I,” do more? Where do I start?

Remember that Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God.” Giving serious thought to what it means to be known as a peacemaker just might be a good starting point for us, as we make a more vigorous effort to live up to being called a Child of God, regardless of where we are in our spiritual journey.

Heavenly Father, help me to live a life so that I am worthy of being called a Child of God. Amen

Claudia Fowler